For mergers and monopolistic practices, the Bureau will continue to apply its traditional framework to market definition, market power and competitive effects. Where issues concerning big data are involved, the Bureau will consider both the efficiencies and consumer benefits from a network, but also whether big data could impose barriers to new competition or soften competition between firms.

Review the report on the Bureau's website.

But what's in a bitcoin? What's in a Smart Contract? And what is an Initial Coin Offering?

Read these article to learn more about cryptocurrency based on blockchain technology.

• What's in a bitcoin?
• What's in a Smart Contract?
• What is an Initial Coin Offering?

An organization should obtain appropriate professional advice when making important decisions about privacy and cyber insurance. Most insurance companies offer insurance policies specifically designed to protect an insured against losses and liabilities arising from privacy breaches and cybersecurity incidents.

The protection afforded by an insurance policy depends on the precise language of the policy (e.g. definitions, coverage descriptions, restrictions and exclusions) interpreted in accordance with legal principles established by Canadian courts.

Review the full article on Borden Ladner Gervais' website.

While there are many questions around the GDPR, one key question that organizations outside of the European Union (the “EU”) are asking is whether they are required to comply with the GDPR, even if they do not have a physical presence within the EU. While the answer will largely depend on the specific activities of each organization, there are good reasons to believe that in many instances, compliance with the GDPR may be required.

Review the full article Miller Thomson's website.

Mr. Jackson and his SEC staff looked at 157 dual-class initial public offerings occurring over the past 15 years, and "immediately noticed some pretty significant differences" between the 71 companies with sunset provisions and the 86 without, and found that over time their predicted valuations diverged.

Seven or more years after their IPOs, firms without sunset provisions traded at a significant discount, and decisions by some firms to drop their dual-class structures later were associated with a significant increase in valuations, he said, noting that the analysis is preliminary but a subject "that deserves much further study."

Review the full speech on the SEC's website.

The complete set of information around the TRG meeting is now available:

• Audio recordings of the individual sessions
• Meeting summary
• Podcast (7 minutes)
• IFRS in Focus — Transition Resource group discusses implementation of IFRS 17 'Insurance Contracts'

Review the press release on the IASB's website.

SEC Chairman Jay Clayton stated: “I believe every ICO I have ever seen is a security. ICOs should be regulated like securities offerings. End of Story.”

Mr. Stark adds that in the coming year or two, the SEC, the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and a slew of other federal and state agencies will initiate a continuing sweep of ICO-related enforcement actions, triggering a virtual earthquake in the ICO industry.

But an ICO bubble burst will inevitably ensure that whatever cryptocurrency marketplace survives will provide the same customer protections and capital safeguards often taken for granted in the context of the traditional trading of securities. This not only makes for good business, but for a more robust and resilient global financial marketplace as well.

Review the guest post on the D&O Diary's website.

Technology has had a profound impact on many fields, and forced industry leaders from publishing to retail to the automotive sector to rethink the way they go to market—and the value proposition they hold dear. It has also instilled a certain amount of fear about what the future might hold.

Grant Abrams would know. Abrams is a partner, Finance & Performance Management Services, at Deloitte in Ottawa, and works with CFOs to become strategic partners to their business, as well as helping them to become more efficient and effective organizational players. One of those ways is making sense of the increasing automation of finance.

Review the blog on CPA Canada's website.

Other regulatory authorities also have watchful eyes on ICOs. In this update, we look beyond securities regulators and securities regulations that might affect ICOs in Canada and discuss the potential for broader regulation.

Review the full article on Goodmans LLP's website.

The topics covered during the meeting included:

• Primary financial statements
• Disclosure initiative — Definition of material
• Disclosure initiative — Principles of disclosure
• Post-implementation Review of IFRS 13
• Wider Corporate Reporting
• Academic liaison
• Information deficiencies and consolidated financial statements
• Proposed improvements to IFRS 8
• Business Combinations Under Common Control
• Project updates and agenda planning

Review the press release and the summary of the meeting on the IASB's website.